Combined weed cutter and cultivator assembly



June 1936- M. E. RUTHERFORD ET AL. 2,046,211

COMBINED WEED CUTTER AND CULTIVATOR ASSEMBLY Filed NOV. 15, 1954 5Sheets-Sheet l June 1935? M. E. RUTHERFORD ET AL. 2,046,211

COMBINED WEED CUTTER AND CULTIVATOR ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 15, 1934 5Sheets-Sheet 2 L0 N w W R flfiWmEBufher/brd R Samuel JOuSZe N Melvin8.13am

June 1936. M. E. RUTHERFORD ET AL 2,046,211

COMBINED WEED CUTTER AND CULTIVATOR ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 15, 1934 5Sheets-Sheet 3 .M'am in EBufilermrd Samuel J OusZe Melvin Cllank Emma l1Jun 30, 1936.

M. E. RUTHERFORD ET AL COMBINED WEED CUTTER AND CULTIVATOR ASSEMBLYFiled Nov. 15, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 MarvirzERuiherford SamueZJOusZeMelvin CJZan '12 v G/bto'mw June 3 1936- M. E. RUTHERFORD ET AL2,046,211

COMBINED WEED CUTTER AND CULTIVATQR ASSEMBLY Filed NOV. 15, 1954 5Sheets-Sheet 5 88 MarvzhEBuZ/zer'f'ord Samuel JOusZg Melvin 6.3a" a;

Patented June 30, 1936 PATENT OFFICE COMBINED WEED CUTTER AND CULTI-VATOR ASSEMBLY Marvin E. Rutherford, Samuel J. Ousley, and Melvin C.Rankin, Spur, Tex.

Appiication November 15, 1934, Serial No. 753,216

Claims.

This invention relates to a combined weed outter and cultivator assemblyand has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafterset forth, an assembly of the class referred to capable of beingefficiently used for agricultural purposes when clearing the soil fromweeds and when cultivating.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, an assembly of the class referred to having theelements thereof so constructed and arranged to provide a weeding outoperation in advance of a cultivating action.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, an assembly of the class referred to with aseries of vertically and angularly adjustable weed cutters and a seriesof vertically adjustable pairs of cultivating elements whereby saidcutters and elements may be set in a position to obtain a thoroughlyefiicient weeding out operation and cultivating action.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, an assembly of the class referred to with weedcutters arranged in pairs, and two sets of cultivating elements wherebya pair of weed cutter elements may be independently adjusted relative tothe other pair and a set of cultivating elements may be independentlyadjusted relative to the other set.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, an assembly of the class referred to which iscomparatively simple in its construction and arrangement for obtainingthe purpose intended thereby, strong, durable, readily set up, enablingthe repairing when occasion requires to be expeditiously performed,thoroughly efficient when used and comparatively inexpensive to set upand maintain.

To the above ends essentially and to others which may hereinafterappear, the invention consists of such parts and such combination ofparts which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

in the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the combined cutter and cultivatorassembly.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are respectively a side elevation, a front elevationand a rear elevation of the assembly,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary View in side elevation illustrating in fulland dotted lines a cutter blade in adjusted positions relative to arunner,

Figure 6 is a front elevation partly in section of the adjustable rearcarrier for the runners,

Figure 7 is a sectional detail on line 1-1, Figure 2, and

Figure 8 is a sectional detail on line 88, Fig- 5 ure 2.

The assembly includes front and rear carriers I, 2 respectively for therunners 4, 5, 6 and I. The carriers I, 2 are arranged in parallel spacedrelation. The carrier I is formed of a 10 pair of substantially invertedyoke-shape sections of like form connected together at their upper ends.Each section of carrier I is formed of an upstanding angle shape bar Iconsisting of a horizontal part 8 and a vertical part 9 which dependfrom the outer end of part 8, an angle shape bar I0 formed of ahorizontal part II and a vertical part I2 depending from the outer endof part II. The part B of bar I is of materially greater length thanpart II of bar I9. The parts 9 and I2 are arranged in parallel spacedrelation and correspond in length. The part 8 is of greater length thanpart I0. The latter is positioned against the lower face of part 8adjacent the inner end of the latter and is anchored to part 8 by thehold-fast means I3. The inner ends of the parts 8 of the sections ofcarrier I oppose each other. The parts 8 are secured together by thecoupling plates I4 and holdfast devices I5. The parts II are arranged inparallel spaced relation but the distance therebetween is greater thanthe distance between parts 9 and II.

The parts 9 are secured to the outer side faces of the runners 4, I bythe holdfast means I6. The parts II are secured to the outer side facesof the runners 5, 6 by the holdfast devices IT. The arrangement of apart 9 and a part II with respect to a pair of runners 4, 5 or 6, I isthat such parts are not disposed therebetween. Each runner is ofsubstantially oblong contour and stands on its lower lengthwise edge.Each runner has its forward end edge I'I inclining forwardly from itsbottom edge to its top edge. The parts 9 and II of carrier I arepositioned in close proximity to the forward ends of the runner.

The rear carrier 2 is formed of a pair of substantially invertedyoke-shape sections of like form connected together at their upper ends.Each section of carrier 2 is formed of an upstanding angle-shape bar I8consisting of a horizontal part I9 and a vertical part 20 depending fromthe outer end of part IS, an angleshape bar 2| formed of a horizontalpart 22 and and holdfast devices 26.

a vertical part 23 depending from the outer end of part 22. The part IQof bar it is of materially greater length than the part 22 of bar 2|.The parts 28 and 23 are arranged in parallel spaced relation andcorrespond in length. The part I9 is of greater length then part 22. Thelatter is positioned against the lower face of part l9 adjacent theinner end of the latter and is secured to part I9 by the holdfast means24. The inner ends of the parts 19 of the sections of the carrier opposeeach other and the said parts H} are secured together by the couplingplates 25 The parts 23 are arranged in parallel spaced relation, butthe. dis tance therebetween is greater than the distance between parts26 and parts 23.

The parts 28 are secured by the holdfast means 21 to the outer sidefaces of the runners 4, 7 in proximity to the rear ends of the latter.The

parts 23 are secured by the holdfast means 27" to the outer side facesof. the runners. 5 6 in proximity to the rea'rends of the latter.

The "carrier 2 also. includes a sectional adjustable beam supportingmember 28 which is arranged between and has its ends secured, asat 29,30 to the permit thereof. Anchored to the outer side of each part 26 ofcarrier 2, as at 3i,

is'a laterally extending beam supportingmem- 1 her 32. r

The inner ends of the parts 8 of carrier l and thelinner ends of theparts IQ of carrier 2 are apertured, such as shown with respect to partsl9, Figure 6. 'Ihecoupling plates i4, 25 are apertured, such as shownwith respect to plates 25, Figure 6. By this arrangement, in connectionwith theholdfast devices I5 and 26, the sec-, tions of the carriers maybe laterally adjusted with. respect to each other and-secured togetherin their adjusted position. Th adjustability of the member- 28 willpermit of the sections of car'- 7 rier 2. bei g adjusted. When thesectionso-f the carriers are adjusted the runners 4, 5 are adjusted;relatively to the runners 6', I. or vice versa.

As shown, the connection between bars 8 and and barsi8 and Z l is suchas to permit of adjust= ing part I l relative to part 9: and part 23relative to part 26 whereby the distance between parts 9, H or 26, 23may be'increased. The car= rier 2 isof greater length than carrier l andacts as a drag; for the plow beams to be here= inafter refeired to.

The carriers are connected together by .a pair of spaced parallelcombined coupling and supporting" bars 33, 34 secured at their forwardendsgas at 35, in proximity to the ends of the plates !4 and at theirrear ends, as at 36; in proximity to the ends of plates 25.

Secured to the outer sides of the runners 4', 5,

. 6. and l, rearwardly of, but in proximity to the parts 9 and [2- ofthe carrier l. are upstanding angularly adjustable cutting blade guides.3! of like form, and as shown, the said guides, extend above thetopedges of the runners. 31- (Figure 5) consists of a channelled shapedguide member 38 which opens, inwardly and is closed for a portion. ofits length by av runner.

Oppositely disposed flanges 39, 45 are integral 'with the lower portionsof-the sides of member 38.:The flanges abut the outer side face of a 7runner. The flange 39 is mounted on apivot car- The said; pivot consistsof.

ried by the runner. a headed bolt 44 carrying a securing nut 42.

The flange 48 is formed with a pair of spaced op positelyextendi ngarcuate slots 43. Carried by ,1 the frunner is a. patrol bolts 44 whichextend;

7 each other.

Each guide.

for a purpose to be referred to.

The assembly includes four cutters 41, 48, 49 and 50. The cutters 41, 4Bare oppositely disposed with respect to each other. The cutters 49, 50are oppositely disposed with respect to Each of the cutters includes aflat cutting blade of like form, with this exception that the blade ofcutter 48 is of less length than the blades of the cutters 41, '49 and50. The blades of the cutters 41, 49 and 50 are of the same length. Thecutters 41, 48, 49 and 58 are associated with the runners 4, 5, 6 and "Irespectively. Each cutter includes a rectangular. V

upstanding shank 5| slidably extending through the member 38 of a guide31. The lower end of shank 5| merges into the forward end ofthe outerside edge of a fiatwise disposed cutting blade 52 of oblong contourdisposed at an outwardly inclination with respect to a runner. The blade52 has a cutting edge 53. The faces of a blade are disposed at rightangles to the side faces of a shank. The blade may be adjusted at anupward and at a downward inclination from" front and to rear and in thisconnection atten-. tion is directed to Figure 5. The adjustment of ablade c simultaneouslyhad with the adjustment of the guide with whichitis associated. The blade may also be vertically adjusted and the meanswhereby this adjustment may be had will lie presently referred to.

. The blade 52 of cutter 41 is arrangedoutwardly with respect to runner4. The blades of cutters 1 48, 49 arearranged between runners 5, 6. .The

blade of cutter 49. extends rearwardly at an inclination beyond the'rear end of the blade of cutter 48. The blade of cutter 50 is arrangedout wardly with respect to runner, I.

There is common to the cutters 41, 48 a manually operable verticallyadjusting means 54 therefor and which, whenv operated, simultaneouslyadjusts the said pair of cutters. There is common to the cutters 49, 56a manually operable vertically adjusting means therefor and which, 7

when operated, simultaneously adjusts cutters 49, 50. The means isindependent of the. The means 54'is of the same con-.

means 55. struction as the means 55. But one of the said means will bedescribed, as the description there-. of will apply to the other. Eachvertically adjusting means common to a pair of cutters cons'ists of apair of oppositelydisposed hangers 56, 51 formed of an intermediateinclined stretch 58 and a pair of end stretches 59, 68 disposed inparallel planes. The end stretches 59 of the hangers 56, 51 arepivotally connected as at 6|, 52 tothe upper ends of a pair of cutters.stretches. 60 of thehangers 56, 51 are pivotally connected as at 63 toanupstanding rearwardly inclined lever 64 in proximity to the lower orforwardend of the latter. Secured upon the part 8 of each section of;carrier I is a vertically disposed substantially quadrant shaped plate.65 having its top edge toothed, as at 66. The lower end of plate 65 isflanged as at 61 and extending The end Y upon one side of the plate 65.Associated with the plate 65 and carried by the lever 64 is a springcontrolled dog, link and lever device ID for the purpose of retainingthe means 54 or 55 when adjusted whereby a pair of cutters will be heldin set position.

Pivotally mounted at their forward ends upon the member 28 is a pair ofspaced rearwardly extending plow beams I I, I2. Pivotally mounted attheir forward ends upon the members 32 are rearwardly extending plowbeams I3, I4. Stop collars 15 are carried by the members .32 for theforward ends of the beams 13, I4. The plow beams are of like length andof the same construction and the description of one will apply to theother. Each beam consists of a bar I6 having an enlarged forward end 11provided with an opening I8 (Figure 8). The bar I6 intermediate its endsis formed with a pair of spaced openings 19, 88 and with reference toFigure '7 opening 88 is shown. Extending through the openings 19, 88 isa pair of oppositely disposed eye-bolts 8|, 82 respectively whereby theeyes of said bolts will be arranged on opposite sides of a beam.

There is positioned upon opposite sides of each beam, in overlappingrelation with respect thereto, a pair of oppositely disposed retainingblocks 83, 84 of like form. each of which is formed with a transverseopening 85, a longitudinal groove 86 in its inner'side and a verticalgroove 81 in its outer side. The opening 85 establishes communicationbetween the grooves, and when a block is mounted on a beam registerswith an opening 19 or 88.

The eye 88 (Figure '7) of a bolt 8! or 82 is adapted to extend into agroove 81; the shank 89 of a bolt BI or 82 extends from the groove 81through an opening 85 and through an opening I9 or 88. The shanks of thebolt 8| or 82 carry securing nuts 98 which abut against that side of abeam opposite that side which abuts a block 83 or 84. The blocks when inposition, overlap the top and bottom of a beam.

Depending from each beam is a pair of cultivator shovels or plows 9 I 92arranged tandemwise and with the plows arranged on opposite sides of thebeam. Each plow includes a standard 83 of circular cross section whichextends through and snugly engages the eye 88 of a bolt 8I or 82. Theblocks 83, 84 and bolts BI, 82 provide for clamping the plow standardsto the beam. When the plows are coupled to the beams, the plows of eachpair are disposed in staggered relation with respect to each other.

There is provided for the pair of beams II, I3 an angularly adjustingspring controlled means SI therefor for the purpose of elevating andlowering the plows carried by said beams. There is provided for the pairof beams 12, 14 an angularlyadjusting spring controlled means 82'therefor for the purpose of elevating and lowering the plows carriedbybeams 12, 14. The said means 9 I, 82' are manually operableindependently of each other. The means 9|, 82' are of like constru"-tion and the description of one will apply to the other.

The means 9| or 92 consist of arch shaped member 93 having the lowerends of its side 84 formed with angularly positioned oppositely disposedextensions 95, 96 which seat upon the top of the beams 'II, 13 or I2,14. Centrally of the top of member 93' a pair of spaced upstandingparallel slotted lugs 91 are arranged. The beams I I, I3 or 12, 14 havepositioned against the sides thereof a depending yoke. The yokesassociated with the beams H, I3 or 12,14 are designated 98, 99. Theyokes also extend above the top of the beams. The sides of each yoke areformed with aligning vertical slots I88 (Figure 2) The extensions 95, 96extend through the slots I88 of yokes 98, 88 respectively. For thepurpose of fixedly securing the extensions 95, 98 on the beams, clampingscrews I8I are carried by the bottoms of the yoke and bind against thebottoms of the beams. Pivotally and loosely connected to the lugs 81 isthe horizontal arm I82 of an upstanding bell crank lever I83. The otheror vertical arm of lever I83 is designated I84 and is of less lengththan arm I82. The tops of members 83 align with the tops of the sectionsof the carrier 2. Each section of the carrier 2 has its top providedwith a pair of spaced parallel apertured lugs I85 to which lever I83 ispivoted as at I86. The upper end of the arm I84 is pivotally connected,as at I81 to the rear end of a horizontally disposed pull link I88. Thelatter includes an intermediate stretch I89 inclining outwardly fromfront to rear and a pair of end stretches I I8, I II disposed inparallel planes. The arm I84 is connected to stretch III. Supported frombar 33 or 34 is a substantially semi-circular shaped plate I I2 havingits top edge toothed, as at I I3. The plate I I2 at its bottom isflanged, as at I M. The flange seats upon a bar 33 or 34 and is anchoredthereto by the holdfast means H5. to a bar 33 or 34. The stretch III) oflink I88 is pivotally attached, as at H6 to a manually operableupstanding lever I I! in proximity to the lower end of the latter. Thelever II! is pivotally connected at its lower end, as at I I8 to theplate I I2.

Carried by the lever I I! is a spring controlled dog link and leverdevice H3. The beams are connected to the sections of carrier 2 bycontrolling springs US.

A transverse support I28 is secured to the bars 33, 34 which carries aseat I2 I.

The parts 8, 9 of the sections of the carrier I are apertured as at I i2and loosely extending into said apertures are the rear ends of a seriesof forwardly extending coupling members I23, which at their forward endsare loosely connected to a draw bar I24 carrying a clevis I25.

The cutouts 46 in the members 38 form clearance for the pivots 62 whenthe cutters are lowered.

What we claim is:

1. In an agricultural machine, a rear support formed of a pair ofinverted yoke-shaped sections adjustably connected together, anadjustable brace between said sections, a front support arranged inparallelism to the rear support and formed of a pair of invertedyoke-shaped sections adjustably connected together, means for connectingsaid supports together, a pair of runners connecting one of the sectionsof the rear support to one of the sections of the front support, a pairof runners connecting the other section of the rear support to the othersection of the front support, said runners being secured to anddepending from the sides of the sections of the said supports, andvertically and angularly adjustable cutters connected with and extendingat an outward inclination with respect to said runners.

2. In an agricultural machine, a runner, a channelshaped guidepositioned at the outer side of and extending above said runner, saidguide opening towards the outer side of the runner and having its lowerportion formed with oppositely disposed lateral flanges, means extendingthrough said flanges for connecting the guide to the run- The plate II 2is ofiset with respect ner, acutter formed: of a flat stem of a heightan angularly disposed blade at the lower endof said stem, meansfor-vertically adjusting. the. cutter, and said flanges provided withmeans coacting with said connecting means for bodily angu- Italyadjusting the guideand. thecutter forwardly andrearwardly-with respectto the runner.

3... In: an. agricultural machine, two spaced. pairs of, spaced. weedcutters, each cutter including a flat vertical shank terminating at itslower end into an angularly disposed rearwardly extendingfiathor-izontal cutting blade, the cutters. of' each pair beingoppositelyinclinedtwo spaced. pairs of spaced runners, the shanks ofsaid cutterspositioned'at. the outer sidesof and of greater height thanthat. of the runners, upstanding channelshaped. guides. opening towards,positioned against the, outer sidesof and. extending above therunners,,said guides having their lower portionsformed with oppositelydisposed lateral flanges, means, for connecting said flanges; to therunners, means connected. to the shanks for vertically. adjusting thecutters, and the said; flanges having means coacting. with.v saidconnecting means to provide for the forward and rearward adjusting oftheguideswith respect to the runners to= position thecutters at an'upwardand downward inclination with respect to the runners. 1 4. In: anagricultural machine, a rear support including. two spaced pairsofspaced depending arms, a front support including twospaced pairsofspaced depending arms, the arms of one supportaligningwith the arms ofthe other support, runners. connected. to the inner side of. the saidarms and. extending forwardly and rearwardly with respect to saidsupports, means secured to the top of the supports for connecting themtogether, a channel-shaped guide securedto the outer side of each runnerandextending above the latter, a flat shank. extending through each.guide and depending below'and.extendingabove a runne E, blades havingtheir forward ends merging-in the'lowerends-of the shanks, and meanspivotally connected to the upper ends of the shanks for verticallyadjusting them.

5.- In an agricultural machine, a rear support including. two spacedpairs: of. spaced depending arms, a front support including two spacedpairs of spaced depending arms, the armsof onesupportaligningwiththearmsaof the other support, runners connected to the inner side ofthe said arms and extending forwardly and rearwardly withrespectto saidsupports, means secured to the top of the supports for connecting themtogether, a channel-shaped guide secured to the outer'side of.- eachrunner andextending above the latter, aflat shank extending through eachguide and depending-below and extending above a runner, blades havingtheir forward ends merging in the lower ends of the shanks, meanspivotally'connccted to the-upper ends-of the shanks for verticallyadjusting them, and said guides providedwith clearances at their upperends for the pivotal connection between the shanksand the verticaladjusting means for the shanks.

6. In an agricultural machine, a lengthwise'adjustable rear supportformed with two spaced pairs of depending spaced arms, a lengthwiseadjustable front supportformed'of two' spaced pairs of depending spacedarms, runners secured to said arms and depending-below the lower ends ofthe latter,-ymeans for connecting said supportstoouter-side of saidrunners inproximity to said front support and: extending, above the.runners, a

set of cu-tters,, each cutter includinga. fiat shank slidably mounted inthe guide and terminating at itslower. end'in. arearwardly directedvblade,; a

pair of vertically adjusting means, each common.

to. a. pair of. cutters, each vertically adjusting meansbeing pivotallyconnected to the upper ends of the. shanks'of apair of'cutters, andmeans to provide for the angularly adjusting bodilytogether ofia guideand" cutter at a forward. and rearward. inclination with, respecttothe'runner;

7.. In an agricultural machine, a lengthwise adjustable rear supportformed with two spaced pairs of depending spaced arms, a lengthwise ad.-justable front support formed of two spaced pairs 'of'depending spacedarms, runners secured tosaid arms and depending below the lower ends ofthe l'a.tter, means for connecting said supports together,vchannelrshaped' guides secured to the outer side. of said runners inproximity to said front support. and extending above the runners; a setof cutters, each cutter including a flat shank slidably mounted in aguide and terminating at itsflower end in a rearwardly directed; blade,a pair of vertically adjusting means, each common to a pair of cutters,each vertically adjusting means being pivotally connected to the upperendsof the shanks ofla'pair of cutters, and means to provide for theangularly adjustingbodil'y together of a guide and cutter at, a forwardand rearward inclination with. respect to the runner, the'said pair ofadjusting, means being mounted in spaced. relation on and extended'fromthe top ofsaid.frontisupport. v V x V 8. In anfagriculturalmachine, alengthwise'ad justable. rear support. formed. with two spaced pairs of.depending spaced arms, a lengthwise ad justable front support formedof'two spaced pairs 7 of depending spaced arms, runners. secured to thelatter, means for connecting said supports together,channe1-shapedguides secured to the outer side of said runners inproximity to said front support and extending above the. runners, a set.of cutters, each cutter including a flat shank slidably mounted in a.guide andgterminating at its.lower end in a rearwardly directed blade, apair of vertically adjusting means, each common to a pair of cutters,each vertically adjusting means being pivotally connectedjtotheupper'ends of theshanks of a pair ofcutters, means to provide for theangularly adjusting. bodily together of a guide and cutter. at a forwardand rearjustable rear support formed with two spaced pairs of dependingspaced'arms, a lengthwise adjustable frontsuppport formed of twospaced'pairs of depending'spaced arms, runners secured'to said arms anddepending below the lower-ends of the latter, means for connecting saidsupports together, channel-shaped guides secured to the outer: side ofsaid runners in-proximity to said frontsupport andi'extending above therunners; a-setofzcutters; each cutter including a flatshank slidablymounted in 1a guide and terminating? at itslower: endin a rearwardlydirected bladea pair: of vertically adjustingmeans', eachcommon gether;,channelrshaped; guides secured. to the to a. pair? of: cutters, eachvertically adjusting 75- 40 said arms and depending below the lowerend'sof,

means being pivotally connected to the upper ends of the shanks of apair of cutters, means to provide for the angularly adjusting bodilytogether of a guide and cutter at a forward and rearward inclinationwith respect to the runner, the said pair of adjusting means beingmounted in spaced relation on and extended from the top of said frontsupport, a draw-bar disposed forwardly of and in transverse relation tosaid front support, and forwardly directed coupling members looselyconnected to the arms of the front support and to said draw-bar.

10. In an agricultural machine, a pair of front inverted yoke-shapedelements disposed in sidewise relation and each formed at its top withan inwardly extending part, means for adjustably connecting saidinwardly extending parts in endwise alignment, a pair of rear invertedyokeshaped elements arranged in parallel spaced relation to said frontelements and each having an inwardly extending part, means foradjustably connecting the inwardly extending parts of the rear elementstogether, an adjustable bracing means between said rear elements, twopairs of runners, the runners of one pair being secured to a front andrear element and depending below such elements, the runners of the otherpair being secured to the other front and the other rear element anddepending below such elements, said runners extending rearwardly withrespect to the rear elements and forwardly with respect to the frontelements, a channel-shaped guide secured to the outer side of eachrunner in proximity to a front element, two pairs of cutters, eachcutter including a flat shank terminating at its bottom into arearwardly directed blade, said shanks extending upwardly through andabove said guides, a pair of vertically adjusting means for the cutters,each adjusting means being pivotally connnected to the shanks of a pairof cutters, said adjusting means mounted on said front elements, andmeans for connecting the upper ends of the front elements to the upperends of the rear elements.

MARVIN E. RUTHERFORD.

SAMUEL J. OUSLEY.

MELVIN C. RANKIN.

